Hydraulic Pumps & Pump Suppliers
What is a Hydraulic Pump?
Hydraulic pumps are positive displacement pumps used to pressurize hydraulic fluid so that the fluid can do work by operating pistons in the hydraulic system. There are many different types of hydraulic pumps, including gear pumps, vane pumps, screw pumps, piston pumps and plunger pumps. Although hydraulic pumps are among the simplest types of pumps, many hydraulic pump systems can create extremely high pressure. This makes them useful in many commercial and industrial applications.
How do Hydraulic Pumps work?
While each type of hydraulic pump operates according to unique principles, the basic idea is the same: a hydraulic pump uses a direct application of force to a movable volume of liquid (in this case, hydraulic fluid), to squeeze the hydraulic fluid and pressurize it. The hydraulic fluid is first drawn into the pump chamber by the moving gears, vanes, screws, pistons, or plungers in the pump. The moving parts then contract the pumping chamber to build up pressure as the hydraulic fluid moves through and exits the pump. The high pressure hydraulic fluid that exits the pump is then used to do work.
Hydraulic pumps often contain built-in pressure relief valves to protect the pump and the system in the event that a valve in the discharge piping is inadvertently closed. Sometimes the hydraulic system is further protected by an external relieve valve. Because the hydraulic fluid system is a closed system, the hydraulic fluid is generally clean, and hydraulic fluid makes an excellent lubricant, so from this point of view the service is not too tough. But, depending on the nature of the work that the hydraulic fluid is doing in the system, these pumps must often produce several thousand psi of pressure, so the pumps need to be robust enough to generate and safely maintain these high pressures.
Where are Hydraulic Pumps used?
Hydraulic pumps can efficiently generate the hydraulic fluid pressure that is necessary to do the work. Some good examples of the use of hydraulic pumps include construction equipment (e.g., backhoes, forklifts), elevators, and metal stamps and presses in factories.
Here are a few hydraulic pump manufacturers to consider.
Blackmer, a member of the Pump Solutions Group (PSG), is a leading pump manufacturer of positive displacement and centrifugal pumps. Blackmer sells it's pumps to the process, energy, transport, and military markets through a large network of distributors. Blackmer offers 3 different pump types including: Vane Pumps, ANSI Process Pumps, Peristaltic/Hose Pumps.
Cat Pumps produces high pressure pump systems for the hydrostatic testing, misting, fogging, hydro blasting applications and more. Cat Pumps offers 4 different pump types including: Metering Pumps, Plunger Pumps, Triplex Pumps, Piston Pumps.
Viking Pumps manufacturers hydraulic pumps for industrial or mobile fluid power applications. The high pressure hydraulic pumps are made of cast iron construction. The Viking Pump hydraulic pumps have a capacity of up to 32 gpm and a max pressure of 3,000 psi. The Viking Hydraulic Pump Series includes the GP - Cast Iron Lip Seal Pumps.
Expert Advice
Who said that pump problem solving is difficult. Pump guru Ross Mackay provides a practical approach to pump reliability.
Centrifugal pumps can sometimes be noisy, perform poorly, break shafts, and cause other problems. This is often due to one of many pump suction conditions.
Dr. Lev Nelik recommends some valuable steps you can take to extend the life of your pump and ensure its operating under optimum conditions.
Industry Updates
FoamPro has just announced its TurboStream® high pressure foam system. The TurboStream is compact and self-contained and produces high energy firefighting power.
The Hydraulic Institute and Pump Systems Matter has scheduled its 2012 annual meeting for Feb. 8 through the 14 in St. Petersburg, Florida. The event offers educational opportunities, a chance for networking and several premier guest speakers.
Agilent Technologies Inc.has acquired P.V.R. s.r.l., a long-established vacuum pump manufacturer based in Valmadrera, Italy.
Pump Tweets
ClydeUnion plans to increase head count to more than 1000 employees in its pump manufacturing plant in Glasgow, Scotland - according to helardscotland.com. The company’s recent revenues have hit record numbers and the company is ramping up staff to plan for an estimated 50% growth in 2011.
Here's a great read in The Atlantic highlighting the importance of water pumps -- and the man who repairs them -- to a small Kenyan village. In a farm town as small as Kikuyu, you're in serious trouble if the motor on your water pump breaks down, the writer reports. "Crops wither and die quickly in the sweltering heat. New motors are expensive, and out of the price range of subsistence farmers."
According to a company press release, Jeff Wiemelt will assume the role of president for the Sundyne on January 1, 2012. Wiemelt previously held vice president and general manger of Sundyne Americas and Sundyne Dijon in France.